After the verbose rejection #94, rejection number 95 (of “Queen Meabh”) was back to short and decidedly not sweet.

“Thank you for offering your story to Xxx. We’re sorry to tell you that we will not be using it; you are free to submit it elsewhere.”

Annie and her spectral alter ego will just have to try again. I did some edits then sent the Queen out to a writing buddy for a read and critique swap. Sometimes other writers see stuff we miss in our own work. OK, more like always.

95 down, 5 to go.

CR Hodges

***

I’ve accumulated 90 rejections for my short stories over the past 3 years and change. A few wins too–6 to be exact–on a total of 16 stories put out there. My record is 12 rejections for one story (“The Cavalryman’s Saber”), but the good news is that it was accepted for publication this fall.

So I’ll be counting down the rejection notices over the next couple of month from #91 through lucky #100. Yes it’s a little morbid, but hey it’s a coping mechanism. I think. Stay tuned.